Etihad nontop AUH-JFK?

I've heard that Etihad intends to begin nonstop service between JFK and Abu Dhabi this year, but have been unable to find any details about the planned service like what date it will start, what equipment (they have 777-300ER but are also getting A340-500 soon), who is handling them here etc. I believe this would be the first nonstop service between the US and the federal capital of the UAE, which is also home to most of the UAE's petrochemical production. Anyone have any info or thoughts on this?

I've heard drips and drabs, but nothing conrete enough to add to the news page as of yet. Sorry. :(

The earlier indications mentioned EWR, but seems as if the plan has become to use JFK instead... we'll see.

As far as I know the A340-500 is planned for the route.

Thanks for the input folks!

While there has been no press release, quietly the JFK flight has been loaded into the Etihad website's interactive timetable, with first flight on Thursday, 10/26, and it is indeed the A345 in a 2-class configuration, Coral (economy) and Diamond (first class). Flight details showing as follows:

EY 503 departs AUH 14:15 arrives JFK 21:25 for flight time of 15:10

EY 504 departs JFK 23:10 arrives AUH 20:25 for flight time of 13:15

The data box says "Terminal 4" but is unclear if that means at AUH or JFK, I am assuming at JFK as AUH currently only has one terminal. Hope someone's around on 10/26 to get some pix of the pearlescent 'bus from the "Garden City of the Gulf"!

Senga is already there waiting.

Ok, my bad, the A345 will apparently be in 3 class configuration with a very unique first class ("Diamond") rotating seat and 23" personal LCD screen...No official announcement re JFK service, but can read about the new EY aircraft here:

http://www.etihadairways.com/Presentati ... newsid=138